The Mississippi State Board of Education held its monthly meeting yesterday, December 19, 2024. Among its agenda items, the Board:
Recognized and honored Mississippi’s 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools: Magnolia Park Elementary School in the Ocean Springs School District; Mannsdale Upper Elementary School in the Madison County School District; Ripley High School in the South Tippah School District; and, Stone Elementary School in the Stone County School District.
Received the 2024-25 Educator Workforce Development Update: MDE staff shared results of the recent Educator Shortage Survey which found there are 5,160 vacancies among teachers, administrators and school support staff across the state, an increase of 148 vacancies compared to the 2023-24 school year. Compared to last year, teacher vacancies increased by 189, K-12 licensed educators (library/media, counselors, and SLPs) vacancies increased by 17, administrator vacancies decreased by 9, and support staff (teacher assistants, nurses, custodians, bus drivers) vacancies decreased by 49. Teacher vacancies increased by 82 in Congressional District One (northeast Mississippi) and by 254 in Congressional District Four (Pine Belt and Gulf Coast).
Approved the final calculation of the Mississippi Student Funding Formula for FY 2026: The Board approved a final calculation of the Mississippi Student Funding Formula for Fiscal Year 2026 (2025-26 school year) of $2,956,734,145, as well as $14,029,966 for other programs for a total of $2,970,764,111. The Base Student Cost for FY 2026 is $6,842.61.
Received a report from the Commission on School Accreditation concerning district accreditation statuses: The Commission recently approved annual district accreditation statuses for the 2024-25 school year, with 120 districts receiving a status of “Accredited” and 18 districts receiving a status of “Probation.”
Approved nonpublic school accreditation statuses for the 2024-25 school year: 38 nonpublic schools received a status of “Accredited,” one school received a status of “Accredited-Temporary,” and seven schools received a status of “Advised.” Nonpublic schools may voluntarily request accreditation.
During executive session, the Board established a subcommittee to explore the future of the Mississippi School for Math and Science (MSMS).
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